While spider veins are common, they are often poorly understood. There are many myths surrounding them, and some of these myths can prevent someone from seeking treatment. Read below to debunk some of these popular myths!

Myth: Men never get spider veins

Fact: Vein problems affect women more often, according to the Office on Women’s Health, but 40 to 45 percent of men in the United States suffer from some type of vein problem.

Myth: Spider veins only appear on your legs

Myth: There is nothing you can do to prevent spider veins

Fact: Many factors contribute to the development; you have control over some of these factors. For example, obesity, sitting for a long time, smoking, exposure to the sun and the use of hormonal birth control can contribute to the formation of these tiny, yet unsightly veins. Injuries may also cause them.

Myth: Spider veins do not cause symptoms

Fact: While spider veins do not hurt like their larger counterparts, varicose veins, they can sometimes cause uncomfortable burning and itching. In some rare cases, they can cause blood to back up inside the vein somewhat like a varicose vein to cause similar symptoms.

Myth: Women are better off waiting until they are finished having children to worry about addressing their spider veins

Fact: Historically, doctors used to advise women to delay vein treatment until after they finished having children because old-fashioned vein treatment is a significant surgical procedure that can be painful and risky – most women would want to have this surgery only once. Modern treatments, by comparison, present minimal pain and risk so patients may undergo treatment as often as necessary.

Myth: One treatment cures spider veins forever

Fact: While it is true that treatment removes the treated spider vein forever, you may develop new ones in other places on your skin.

Myth: Treatment for spider veins hurts and does not work very well

Fact: The newest generation of spider vein treatments is nearly pain-free and provides great results. Most treated veins fade with the first treatment, although larger and exceptionally stubborn veins require repeat treatments for full results.

Myth: There are no effective treatments for spider veins

Fact: Sclerotherapy is the gold standard for spider vein treatments, providing optimal results with minimal pain and recovery time. In sclerotherapy, a vein doctor injects a chemical agent that causes the walls of the spider vein to swell and stick together. The treated vein closes and breaks apart; the spider vein disappears as nearby tissue absorbs the remnants of the vein.

For more information about spider veins and their myths, talk to your vein doctor. Learning more about them can help you get rid of these unsightly veins. The staff at Georgia Vascular Institute can provide you with what you need to get rid of those pesky veins. Call today at 770-506-4007 and schedule an appointment with us.

“The International Vein Congress is one of the best international vein conferences with some the most renowned experts in the field of venous disease and endovascular therapies. This was an amazing meeting,” Dr. Subramanian said.

The International Vein Congress was held in collaboration with the Society for Vascular Surgery from April 20th, 2017 to April 22nd, 2017 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel.